Ballardite Jim Cook was one of seven Seattle seniors honored Sept. 9 by Foss Home and Village for their contribution to their communities as part of its preparation for Senior Appreciation Week.

Foss holds this event to recognize active seniors, to encourage other seniors to remain active, to build admiration for community seniors and to foster public advocacy for their needs, Foss spokesperson Erin Mullin said.

She said Foss selected Cook for of his contributions to the community both before and after retirement.

According to the Foss biography of Cook, he is proud of serving his country, his church and his wonderful family. He is a man who can always be counted on and is just glad to help other people, according to the biography.

Cook was born in 1934 and raised on a farm in Eastern Washington.

At 20, he joined the Marine Corps and served in the 1st Marine Division. He traveled to Korea just after the Korean War and served on an anti-tank platoon near the 38th Parallel from 1954 to 1955.

For 30 years, Cook worked at Kaiser Gypsum (later James Hardie Gypsum) in a variety of roles, from the production line to shipping.

In 1962, Cook met his future wife Pat when they went on a double date to the Seattle World’s Fair. They married that same year and have made Ballard their home for 48 years.

For more than 10 years, Cook has participated in the Kairos prison ministry, which provides hope to incarcerated men in Monroe. He has helped lead four-day retreats that are held twice a year for approximately 40 imprisoned men.

He loves his time connecting with the men, listening to their concerns and sharing about forgiveness, according to the Foss biography. One Saturday a month, Cook returns with the Kairos team to lead worship and reconnect with these men.

For the past 20 years, Cook has helped with The Friday Lunch Bunch at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. This lunch serves approximately 100 homeless and needy people.

Additionally, Cook leads a Bible study for a group that has been meeting since the 1960s. He fills in as a substitute Bible class leader, reads Scripture during worship services and serves communion.

Cook has also mentored several younger men, providing a listening ear, helpful advice and a lending hand when needed.

According to Foss, the older population is often overlooked in our society because they are seen as people who no longer contribute to the economic growth of communities. Yet, without the ongoing contributions of seniors like Jim Cook, Seattle would not be as enriched as it is today, according to Foss.